‘We’re all Ogbomosos’: When govt, Appeal Court, Olugbon affirmed Soun’s supremacy, leadership

Image caption: Reigning Soun, HIM Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III JP CON CFR

‘We’re all Ogbomosos’: When govt, Appeal Court, Olugbon affirmed Soun’s supremacy, leadership

The matter of which Oba is supreme in Ogbomoso Zone has been a controversially recurring subject, but archival materials show that the Soun of Ogbomosoland is SUPREME.

Khalid ABRAHAM

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Contrary to the claim by the present Olugbon of Orile Igbon in Surulere local government area of Ogbomoso zone, Oyo state, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, that the suzerainty of the Soun is confined within Ogbomoso North local government, historical documents recently made available have confirmed otherwise. The speech his immediate predecessor, Oba Samuel Adegboyega Osunbade, gave at his inauguration as the Olugbon in 1992, the consent of the Soun sought prior his installation as well as newspaper’s report all point to the supremacy of the Soun in this part of Yorubaland.

Oba Osunbade was installed on July 24, 1992 during which he gave a memorable speech. In the speech he unambiguously asserted the authority of the Soun over other Obas in Ogbomoso area while pledging his allegiance and cooperation. He expressed joy that he was the first Olugbon in about 200 years to be installed at Igbon, and appreciated Soun (Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III) for allowing it to happen and for granting consent to his installation as prescribed authority.

Thus, the present Oba Alao’s claim of superiority and ownership of Ogbomoso land contradicts his predecessor’s assertion and historical antecedent referenced without duress by Oba Osunbade.

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What art thou with Soun, Oba Olugbon?

Oba Osunbade likewise affirmed that the Igbon people are now “Ogbomoso people” implying Igbon has become a subset of Ogbomoso, a position also in conflict with the kite the present Olugbon is flying that he is not an Ogbomoso person.

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Commentators have meanwhile stated that Oba Alao lacks a sense of history, “If he is in tune with history, he won’t be making such claims and exposing his underbelly of ignorance.”

“Some hours ago, I was traditionally installed by my people as the 19th Olugbon of Orile Igbon at Igbole, Orile Igbon. This installation is unique and historic because for nearly two hundred years, no other Olugbon has been so installed,” Oba Osunbade had begun.

“Infact, Olugbon Olugbode, the 11th Olugbon, it was who moved the Olugbon throne to Ogbomoso shortly after the Fulani war. From that time seven Olugbons had ascended the throne and were all installed at Idi Pandoro at Ogbomoso.

“They also resided at Ogbomoso. Oba Oyewale Akanni Oyedele 111, my predecessor in office returned to our homestead during his reign and lived at Orile-Igbon until he died on the 23rd May, 1988.”

Late Soun Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade lll JP CON CFR – he accomplished the feats of the various affirmations of Soun’s supremacy

Oba Osunbade then assured, “Let me straight away assure that this Olugbon will be one of peace, unity and progress. This Olugbon will cooperate, collaborate and submit to the Institution of the Soun of Ogbomosoland.

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“It is a matter of fact that over the years, the Soun Institution has superseded all Obas and Chiefs in this area. In Soun’s Capacity as the Chairman of the Ogbomoso Traditional Council to which all of us belong, this Olugbon will act as an effective, loyal and dependable deputy to the Soun in the scheme of things:

“It was so from time immemorial and should continue to be so to ensure peace, harmony and to place the historical importance of the Olugbon in proper perspective.”

With other leading Obas in Ogbomoso zone and government officials in attendance (with no one opposing) and canvassing unity and cooperation to bring about progress, Olugbon Osunbade submitted, “This Olugbon will also co-operate with the other Obas and Chiefs in this area – The Aresa of Iresa-Adu, the Onpetu, the Onikoyi and the Alajawa. Having accepted, without reservation, the leadership stance of the Institution of the Soun, it should be possible for all of us to sit down as progressive fathers and identify areas of past Conflicts amongst ourselves.

“Such conflicts, as far I know, revolve round issues, such an area of control, prescribed authority over chieftaincies. I believe that where there is friendship and understanding, these Issues, important as they are, can be mutually resolved,” while urging “the Soun to initiate a new accord in his Capacity as our leader and be magnanimous. Whatever rights the other Obas have been exercising from history should be recognised and restored. In return, all the Obas must accept and respect the Leadership of the Soun of Ogbomosoland.”

Osunbade now gave credence to his identity as an Ogbomoso person: “As a Royal Father of note, I also appeal to our immediate Governments, that is, the five Local Governments around. The plurality of Local Governments should be seen as a purely Administrative Convenience to ensure even distribution of amenities and rapid developments. It does not in any way alter the fact that essentially, we are all Ogbomosos.”

Enroute Olugbon Osunbade’s journey to the throne, the Soun’s consent was obtained to clear the road for him, that was sequel to the Surulere local government’s authority writing to him recognizing his (Soun) prescribed authority’s status.

In granting the consent for the installation of the predecessor of Oba Alao, Oba Osunbade, Soun Oladunni Oyewumi in a letter, titled, “Consent for the filling of the vacant stool of Olugbon of Igbon,” dated February 24, 1992, and addressed to the Surulere local government chairman, wrote: “In response to your letters referenced No. SLG.340/07 of 21st January, 1992, and No. SLG.340/197 of 28th January, 1992, in which letters from the Military Governor in Council referenced No. CB.141/48/25/189 of 21st February, 1989, and No. SLG.240/80A of 8th December, 1991, were enclosed, and having been convinced that all constitutional procedures have been fulfilled, I do hereby give my consent to the choice of Prince Adegboyega Osunbade as been (sic) validly nominated and selected by the Family meeting held on 31st December, 1991.”

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The letter further states, “The consent is hereby given in exercise of my powers as the Prescribed and Consenting Authority for Olugbon Chieftaincy under the statutory provision in Oyo State Chiefs Law, Chapter 21, section 15.”

To further ascertain the supremacy of Soun, the Oyo state government in a gazette published in January 1993, signed by Chief (Dr) N. A. O. Raimi (Secretary to the Oyo State Government) changed Soun’s title from “Soun of Ogbomoso” to “Soun of Ogbomosoland.”

Titled, “Change of title of Traditional Ruler,” the content of the gazette reads, “It is hereby notified for general information that the Executive Council of Oyo State has approved the change in the name, the Soun of Ogbomoso to the Soun of Ogbomosoland with effect from 21st day of October, 1992.”

This was though challenged in the court by five traditional rulers, i.e. Alajawa, Onpetu, Onikoyi, Aresa and Olugbon. Soun lost at the High Court but won convincingly at the Appeal Court.

Headlined, “Soun is supreme, Appeal Court rules,” the news report in the Nigerian Tribune on the outcome of the court is reproduced verbatim below:

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THE Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan, on Thursday, declared that the Soun of Ogbomosoland, has the custody of land in Orile-Igbon, Ikoyi-Ile, Iresaadu, Ijeru and Ajaawa areas of Oyo State.

According to a 21-page lead judgement delivered by the court’s President, Justice M. O. Oniyaju, and agreed to by Justice F. F. Tabai and Justice O. O. Adekeye, the judgement of the High Court earlier in favour of the respondents was set aside.

All the claims of the respondents were dismissed, while the appellant, Soun of Ogbomoso, was awarded the sum of N5,000 against the first to fifth respondents.

The Soun, Oba Ajagungbade, had gone to the Court of Appeal against the decision of Hon. Justice R. A. Jimoh, delivered on February 20, 1995.

He sought a relief over the declaration that the restraining declaration dated March 1,1993, by which all land in Ogbomoso, particularly shown in the plan No. AB 3569 and No. OGBC7/0-OYC, vested in the defendants, was ultra vires to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Land Use Act, unconstitutional against the rules of natural justice, illegal, irregular and null and void.

He also asked the Court of Appeal to uphold that the respondents i.e. the traditional rulers of the areas were his ‘subjects’ and that he represented the Ogbomoso community in his capacity as Soun of Ogbomosoland.

All respondents are Oba Samuel Adegboyegya Osunbade Adeyelu II, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon; Oba Bello Ayinde Aderemi II, the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile; Oba Jimoh Oyeyemi Oloyede, the Aresaadu of Iresaadu; Oba S. O. Oyediran Lagbami Osekun III, the Onpetu of ljeru; and Oba Samuel Olatunji Ayoola Ajanakuade II, the Alajaawa of Ajaawa. Others are the Oyo State Governor and the Assistant Chief Percurer, A. A. Ajila Esq.